Pages

Thursday, April 15, 2010

I love animals and I love writing about animals - especially wolves. I've been fascinated by fangs and fur since the first time I watched Lon Chaney, Jr. transform into "The Wolfman." I always sympathized with the werewolf. Chaney had the ability to make me feel his anguish and suffering. When he transformed I knew he was still inside the hairy beast and deserving of sympathy.

When I look at the wolf, I see past the predator to the grace, beauty and spirit inside the animal. They're devoted to their families - hunting, playing and protecting each other. We can learn a lot from them. So why are they so hated?

I picked up the March issue of National Geographic and read a great article by Douglas Chadwick:Wolf Wars: Once Protected, Now Hunted.Telling both sides of the story, he writes about the reintroduction of wolves, how they have a positive influence on the ecosystem and at the same time cause fear and resentment in people who lose their livestock to wolf depredation. So the fight goes on as we try to find a way to live in harmony with the much maligned wolf. You can read the article and see the photographs on the National Geographic website.

I think we "humans" selfishly forget everything but our own needs. I cringe at the cruelty we exhibit toward the wildlife of the world just because the animals don't have a "voice". All you have to do is look at their eyes and see their wisdom. There has to be a better way.

I think we encroach on their land and push them out of their habitats then get upset when they come after lifestock or worse. If humans lived in harmony with their surroundings, like my native indian ancesters, instead of trying to mold it to suit them the world would be at peace.